The Drop
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4.0 • 282 Ratings
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- $13.99
Publisher Description
Dennis Lehane returns to the streets of Mystic River with this love story wrapped in a crime story wrapped in a journey of faith—the basis for the major motion picture The Drop, from Fox Searchlight Pictures directed by Michaël Roskam, screenplay by Dennis Lehane, and starring Tom Hardy, Noomi Rapace, and James Gandolfini.
Three days after Christmas, a lonely bartender looking for a reason to live rescues an abused puppy from a trash can and meets a damaged woman looking for something to believe in. As their relationship grows, they cross paths with the Chechen mafia; a man grown dangerous with age and thwarted hopes; two hapless stick-up artists; a very curious cop; and the original owner of the puppy, who wants his dog back. . . .
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
Best-selling author Dennis Lehane finds hope amidst the darkness in this gripping novel. Stoic bartender Bob Saginowski leads a solitary life, until he finds an abandoned puppy just after Christmas—and inadvertently picks up a new girlfriend, Nadia, in the process. In the crosshairs of an abusive psycho, Chechen gangsters, and his shady Cousin Marv, Bob’s got 99 problems, even if the dog isn’t one. As always with Lehane, no one is entirely innocent, but with Bob, he’s crafted a protagonist who’s easy to root for—unlike his peers, he’s at least trying to avoid trouble. Lehane keeps the pacing tight, with not a word wasted. Quick and compact, The Drop delivers a crime story with a big heart.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
This gritty gem from Lehane (Mystic River) has a curious origin. The short story "Animal Rescue," which appeared in 2009's Boston Noir, was the basis for the screenplay of the soon-to-be-released film The Drop, to which this is the tie-in. Boston bartender Bob Saginowski pulls a beaten pup from a winter trash can, a small good deed with large consequences. The rescue leads Bob to Nadia Dunn, who helps him take care of the dog, and also to crazy Eric Deeds, who claims the dog is his. While Bob tries to fend off Deeds, his cousin Marv, onetime owner of Cousin Marv's bar, contends with money issues and pride and the Chechens, who now own his bar and use it as a money drop. A parade of weary, quirky characters thieves, thugs, and hard guys will resonate with Lehane fans. Amid his struggles, Bob establishes a tenuous relationship with Nadia, and finally takes a stand in this stark and moving short novel.
Customer Reviews
See AllGreat Quick Read
This was a Quick read, but very captivating. The character development and pacing were excellent.
So vivid you can feel it in your guts
This book was absolutely blowing my mind. So intense it’s visceral to the point of discomfort, incredibly crafted but almost overwhelming. Powerful writing indeed. The character development is astounding. I had to take breaks as I was reading to maintain my sanity. Like nothing I have ever read before.
The Drop
Exceptional short story by Lehane. Another story about good guys and bad guys in a New England setting, but it was a fine book. He knows how to fabricate characters where you can feel their emotions.